Group Data & AI Governance Lead

Connells Group is seeking an experienced Group Data & AI Governance Lead to establish and scale enterprise-wide data and AI governance as a core business capability.

This is a strategic role responsible for defining governance frameworks, activating business ownership, and embedding trusted, compliant and ethical use of data and AI across the organisation. Working at the heart of our data transformation agenda, you will help ensure that governance becomes part of how the business operates and embedded in our Fabric Group Data Platform - not a compliance exercise.

You will lead the development and implementation of the Group Data & AI Governance Operating Model, partnering with business leaders, technology teams, Information Security, Data Protection and Risk functions to drive governance adoption and accountability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Defining and maturing enterprise Data & AI Governance frameworks, policies and standards.
• Establishing Data Domains, Sub-Domains, Critical Data Assets and Critical Data Elements aligned to business capabilities.
• Activating business ownership through Data Owners, Data Stewards and Data Custodians.
• Building and leading governance forums, stewardship communities and decision-making structures.
• Embedding governance controls within Microsoft Fabric and Microsoft Purview, including cataloguing, lineage, classification and metadata management.
• Driving enterprise data quality management, issue remediation and continuous improvement.
• Leading Responsible AI governance, including model oversight, transparency, explainability and monitoring.
• Defining governance KPIs and measuring adoption, maturity and control effectiveness.
• Ensuring governance is embedded into data products, analytics, AI initiatives and delivery life cycles.

You will help create a governance culture where:

• Business capabilities are aligned to clear data domains and ownership models.
• Critical business data is trusted, well-defined and fit for purpose.
• Metadata, lineage and classifications are visible and actively maintained.
• Data quality issues are identified, managed and resolved through accountable ownership.
• AI solutions are governed responsibly, transparently and ethically.
• Governance enables innovation rather than creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

We’re looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery.

You will bring:

• 5+ years' experience in Data Governance & broader Data Management.
• Proven experience implementing enterprise data governance frameworks and operating models.
• Experience establishing data ownership, stewardship and domain-based governance models.
• Knowledge of UK GDPR, risk management and information governance practices.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across both business and technology teams.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and change leadership capabilities.

Desirable experience includes:

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Fabric, Azure and Microsoft Purview.
• Responsible AI or AI Governance frameworks.
• DAMA, DCAM, TOGAF or related methodologies.
• Large-scale data transformation programmes.
• Data catalogue, metadata and lineage management tooling.